Get Informed: Answers to Common Questions About Bail Bonds in Oklahoma

Bail bondsmen do not determine the amount of a person’s bond that is set by the court holding them. The bond amount can be preset by a judge in an arrest warrant or determined when the person is booked into jail based on a predetermined bond list. If no bond has been set, the individual will have an opportunity to go before a judge to determine the amount of the bond.

A judge may look at several different factors. These factors include the individual’s criminal record, what the crime was, the likelihood of returning to court, and the threat the person may pose to the community if released.

Once the bond amount has been set, a bondsman can post a bond with the court to secure the individual’s release from jail. The bondsman is guaranteeing the court that the defendant will return on all of his court dates for the duration of their case. If the defendant does not return to court, the bond is forfeited, and the bondsman must pay the court the amount of the bond.

The amount a bondsman charges to do this can vary depending on the case. In most cases, a bondsman will charge 10% of the bond amount. In the case of small bonds, bondsmen will have a minimum rate they charge rather than a percentage of the bond.

Yes, we can do that. First, we will need the name of your friend/family member, plus his or her birthday and the county where he or she was arrested. This will allow us to look up your loved one in the county jail system and get you specific answers about his or her case.

In most cases, you do not. Here at Rodney’s Bail Bonds, we prefer not to use collateral for our bonds. However, collateral may be needed for large bonds or when there is not a co-signer available. Collateral secures the bond in the event that the bondsman has to pay a forfeiture or has to pay to return the individual to the court. The most common forms of collateral used are property or cash. Any collateral put up to secure a bond is returned once the defendant has properly and successfully concluded their case, or the bond is otherwise exonerated. If the defendant does not go to court, the collateral is used to pay the forfeiture to the court or to pay the cost of returning the defendant to court. Any remaining balance would then be returned to the person who put up the collateral.

No, Rodney’s Bail Bonds and our agents are only licensed to operate within the state of Oklahoma.

More questions? We are just getting started.

• We offer round-the-clock, 24-hour services, seven days a week.
• We are dedicated to providing friendly customer service to our clients.
• We respect & value your privacy.
• We have a strong knowledge base and expertise in the bail bond process.
• We offer a wide range of payment options.
• We will not judge; we know that no one is perfect and bad things can happen to any of us.

• Jurisdictions vary in their policies and procedures. In general, when a person is arrested on an existing warrant, the amount of their bond has been predetermined by a judge. If the individual has been arrested on new charges, the bond amount will often be determined by the jail, based on a preset “jail bail” schedule. If no bond amount has been determined, the individual will have to wait to go before a judge.
• Once a bond amount has been set, a bondsman can post an appearance bond with the court, guaranteeing that the individual will return for all of his court dates.
• The bail process is regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Insurance.

The following are required by a co-signer who needs to bail someone from jail:

• Co-signers must be 18 or over and U.S. citizens
• Valid driver’s license or photo ID
• Social Security Number
• Proof of employment, copy of latest check stub
• Completed co-signer application
• Signed indemnity agreement

• The paperwork process takes no more than 30 minutes, and you will be all set.

This depends on the jail and county where the arrest took place. At most facilities, this does not take more than two to six hours. Oklahoma County jail averages between 8-12 hours, but it can take up to 24 hours to release an individual after the bond has been posted.

A co-signer is responsible for the following:

• To make sure the defendant makes all appearances in court.
• To make sure the premium is paid (if applicable).
• Help Rodney locate the defendant if needed.
• Other responsibilities will be outlined for the co-signer, depending on the facts of the case.
• Being a co-signer is an important responsibility. Please make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.

A defendant is responsible for the following:

• Upon being released, the defendant will need to report to Rodney and complete the necessary paperwork immediately.
• They must also immediately report any changes to their phone number, address, employer, etc., to Rodney immediately. And keep Rodney updated on court dates and results. Communication is VERY important.
• Find an attorney to represent them during the court process. They may apply to have a court-appointed attorney, but there is no guarantee that it will be approved. There are many good private attorneys. We highly recommend talking to several to find one that the defendant feels comfortable with. Ask about payment plans and their experience with your type of charges.
• The defendant MUST show up on all court dates and complete the court instructions.
• There may be other responsibilities that will be outlined for the defendant depending on the facts of the case.

Yes, the payment may be made by anyone, even the defendants themselves.

The premium you paid is not refundable; that is what the bondsman charges to write the bond. However, if there was collateral put up to secure the bond, it will be returned once the defendant has successfully concluded their case and the bond has been exonerated.

Check out this page for information on attorneys, public defenders, and other commonly asked questions. We also have a page dedicated to community resources that might be available to help in certain situations. You can check it out here.